Mr. T. Marvin Jenkins

February 25, 1925 - July 8, 2014

Obituary

Mr. T. Marvin Jenkins, 89, of Griffin, passed away peacefully at Brightmoor Nursing Center on July 8, 2014. He was born in Griffin, Georgia on February 25, 1925 to the late Mr. Claude M. Jenkins and the late Mrs. Minnie Lee Redwine Jenkins. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Daniel Jenkins, and his sister Jeanette J. Thacker. Marvin grew up in Griffin and graduated from Griffin High School where, in his senior year, he helped his football team, the Gold Wave, become the State Champions. Marvin scored 144 points that year; the most points scored by a single player in the whole State of Georgia. He excelled in basketball and...

Mr. T. Marvin Jenkins, 89, of Griffin, passed away peacefully at Brightmoor Nursing Center on July 8, 2014.He was born in Griffin, Georgia on February 25, 1925 to the late Mr. Claude M. Jenkins and the late Mrs. Minnie Lee Redwine Jenkins. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Daniel Jenkins, and his sister Jeanette J. Thacker.Marvin grew up in Griffin and graduated from Griffin High School where, in his senior year, he helped his football team, the Gold Wave, become the State Champions. Marvin scored 144 points that year; the most points scored by a single player in the whole State of Georgia. He excelled in basketball and track as well. Known by his friends as "Jenks", he was chosen as the boy in his class with the best disposition. Right after High School, at 18 years of age, Marvin was sent to 15 weeks of basic training at Camp Wheeler before being shipped overseas to serve his country in WWII. He and other soldiers traveled across North Africa then shipped to Italy where he was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division at Anzio in January 1944, which is where he began his combat experiences as the Germans put down a terrific artillery barrage. Soon he was assigned as BAR man. His division was on a beachhead in Anzio for about 4.5 months. During that time of battle, Marvin found consolation and security by reading Psalms 91 from a pocket Bible he carried with him. They lost quite a few men breaking from Anzio to Rome. Marvin was wounded on May 28, 1944 as they walked along the Velletri-Valmontone Highway to Rome. He soon rejoined the division, after a brief stay in a general hospital in Naples, in a small town outside of Naples for amphibious training to make the invasion in Southern France. They hit the beaches at San Tropez to help relieve a little pressure on the Normandy beachhead front. They got through the main line of resistance and moving fast as the Germans were retreating. As the American soldiers moved through small towns in France, they were welcomed with open hearts. The townspeople were giving many gifts of food and drink and crowding around the American soldiers, so glad to see them. When in the Vosges Mountains, bringing back some wounded from the front, they looked over in a little draw and saw a white flag being waved. It was a platoon of German infantry that wanted to surrender. They were fully armed but were ready to quit fighting and go home. Marvin's division advanced into Germany, passing through and breaching through the Siegfried Line, on to Augsburg and Munich and on their way to Austria, The 7th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division captured Berchtesgaden (Hitler's home town) on May 4, 1945. Marvin's division went into Salzburg, Austria where the war was over for them. An old soldier's prayer exclaims: It is my prayer that ALL combat veterans will walk through HEAVENS GATES because they have already passed through HELL!!! This EX SOLDIER is thankful to GOD to have lived through this particular time and to have experienced the camaraderie that I experienced in an American Combat Division. Marvin received a Purple Heart, a Silver Star and a Bronze Star for his military service. Marvin retired from the United States Postal Service. Later, he entered into the Real Estate Sales business, then to Real Estate Appraisals, which he enjoyed for many years. Mr. Jenkins is survived by three children. His two sons and their wives: Chip and Jennifer Jenkins, Kreg and Kim Jenkins, a daughter and her husband: Babs Jenkins and Steven Fouts, two grandchildren and their spouses: Seth and Rachel Jenkins, Kelly Jenkins and McCain Hamrick, great grandchildren: Ava and Cale Jenkins.The family of T. Marvin Jenkins would, from their hearts, like to thank everyone who participated in his care; especially dear friend and CNA for many years, Hope Thorpe and also Evercare nurse, Tessa Thompson NP.A military honor memorial service will be held in the chapel at Haisten-McCullough Funeral Home, located at 1155 Everee Inn Road, Griffin. Reverend Tom Vanlaningham will officiate. Interment for immediate family will follow.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the donor's favorite charity. .Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Rd. is in charge of arrangements.